Shutter speed is one of the three pillars of photography exposure — alongside aperture and ISO — and understanding it is the key to moving beyond auto mode. Whether you want to freeze a fast-moving subject or create silky smooth motion blur, shutter speed is your most powerful creative tool.
What is Shutter Speed?
Shutter speed refers to how long your camera's shutter stays open when you take a photo. It's measured in seconds and fractions of a second — from as fast as 1/8000s to as slow as 30 seconds or longer in Bulb mode. The longer the shutter stays open, the more light hits the sensor — and the more motion is recorded.
Fast Shutter Speeds (1/500s and Above)
Fast shutter speeds freeze motion. Use them for sports, wildlife, kids, or anything moving quickly. The trade-off is less light reaching the sensor, so you'll need a wider aperture or higher ISO to compensate in low light.
Slow Shutter Speeds (1/60s and Below)
Slow shutter speeds let in more light and record motion as blur. This is ideal for silky waterfalls, light trails from cars at night, or creative long-exposure shots. A tripod is essential at slow speeds to keep the camera itself sharp.
The 1/Focal Length Rule
When handholding your camera, a good rule of thumb is to keep your shutter speed at least as fast as 1/focal length. For example, if you're shooting with a 50mm lens, keep your shutter speed at 1/50s or faster to avoid camera shake. In-body image stabilisation (IBIS) gives you extra room to go slower.
Shutter Speed and Exposure
Shutter speed works together with aperture and ISO to control exposure. Doubling your shutter speed (e.g. from 1/125s to 1/250s) halves the amount of light — so you'd need to open your aperture by one stop or raise your ISO to maintain the same exposure.
Keep Learning
Once you've got shutter speed dialled in, check out our Simple Guides to Aperture and ISO to complete your understanding of the exposure triangle. And if you're ready to put it all into practice, browse Ted's range of mirrorless cameras online or visit your nearest Ted's store.